Glimpses of Tribal Life Come Alive at Bastar Pandum; Union Home Minister Enchanted by Cultural Exhibition
Bastar Pandum Emerges as a Distinctive Symbol of Tribal Culture; Winners Felicitated
Raipur (thestates.news) | At the closing ceremony of the divisional-level Bastar Pandum 2026, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah visited the exhibition on tribal traditions and culture organised at Lalbagh Ground. He toured various stalls and gained insights into products, handicrafts, and art forms integral to the daily life of the tribal communities.
Union Home Minister Shri Shah appreciated the exhibition showcasing Dhokra craft, terracotta, wood carving, sisal art, bamboo and iron crafts, tribal attire and jewellery, Tumba art, tribal paintings, forest-based medicines, local cuisines, and folk art. Shri Shah described Bastar’s culture as a living expression of India’s soul.
The exhibition featured traditional costumes and ornaments of the Dandami Madia, Abujhmadia, Muria, Bhatra, and Halba tribes. Tribal paintings vividly portrayed indigenous life, nature, and age-old traditions. A live demonstration of forest medicines by a Vaidyaraj also drew considerable attention.
At the local cuisine stall, visitors were introduced to traditional delicacies such as Jondhari Lai laddoos, Mandiya Pej, Aamat, Chapda Chutney, Kulthi Dal, Paan Bobo, and Tikhur, along with beverages including Landa and Salfi.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said, “Bastar Pandum is a powerful medium to preserve tribal culture and pass it on to future generations. The State government is continuously working for the conservation and promotion of tribal art, crafts, and traditions.”
On the occasion, the Union Home Minister met and congratulated the winning teams of the twelve competitive categories of Bastar Pandum. The programme was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, MLA Shri Kiran Singh Deo, and other public representatives.
Winners of the Divisional-Level Bastar Pandum 2026 Competition
1. Tribal Dance – Gaur Madia Dance (Budhram Sodhi, Dantewada)
2. Tribal Song– Palanar Group (Mangli and team, Dantewada)
3. Tribal Theatre – Lekham Lakha (Sukma)
4. Tribal Musical Instruments – Rajau Manddi and team (Kondagaon)
5. Tribal Attire – Gunjan Nag (Sukma)
6. Tribal Jewellery – Sudni Dugga (Narayanpur)
7. Tribal Craft– Omprakash Gavde (Koya Arts, Kanker)
8. Tribal Painting – Deepak Jurri (Kanker)
9. Tribal Beverages – Bhairam Baba Group (Urmila Pradhan, Bijapur)
10. Tribal Cuisine – Smt Tarabati (Dantewada)
11. Regional Literature – Uttam Naik (Kondagaon)
12. Bastar Forest Medicines – Rajdev Baghel (Bastar)
